About

The TasSwing website is all about swing and related forms of dancing in Tasmania. Although most of the information contained in this website is about swing dancing in Hobart, we would like to include details about swing and related forms of dancing from all of Tasmania. This site will be kept completely up to date with swing dance news and social events in Tasmania, so check back often! If you have a dance event that you would like us to mention, or be involved with, contact Dave.

TasSwing run swing classes every Wednesday night at the Polish Hall, 20 New Town Road, New Town (enter via the blue door on Clare Street). See the Classes page for details!

About swing dancing

Swing dancing was popular from the 1920s, during the Charleston craze, until the rise of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the 1950s. It experienced a worldwide revival during the 1990s, which led to the development of a new swing culture and a retro-swing music scene. Swing is a fun energetic form of dancing that is dynamic to watch and is incredibly fun to do.
Swing dance (sometimes known as jitterbug) is a broad term covering many related forms of dancing. Lindy Hop, the original form of swing dancing, was developed by African-Americans in ballrooms in Harlem in the late 1920’s and through the 1930’s to the music of the big bands such as Count Basie and Benny Goodman. The Lindy Hop was named for Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator, and his ‘hop’ across the Atlantic, and is the most show stopping form of swing dance with its basic 8-count circle step, fancy footwork and Charleston variations. But swing includes everything from slow blues dancing through to the fast energetic swing to aerials. Many forms of more modern partner dancing, such as Rock ‘n’ Roll, East Coast Swing and Jive have evolved from the Lindy Hop.

Welcome

So you live in, or are visiting Tasmania, and you want to swing dance? Well, you're in the right place! This site contains all the information about lessons and social dancing you'll need.